In our testing, we found that the formula mixed very well with warm water without any clumping, bubbling, or excessive foaming. The DHA in this formula is … Holle formulas (pronounced "hoe-lay") are made by one of the oldest and most widely respected baby formula companies in the world, with over 85 years of experience making non-GMO organic baby food products. It's a relatively simple formulation, and we believe it doesn't need to conform with FDA or USDA recommendations for infant formulas because it's marketed as a Toddler formula. You can check out the Baby's Only Formula with DHA here! It comes in just one stage, which is “toddler” and technically meant for children ages 12 months old and up. Many parents don't appreciate the inclusion of palm oil or rapeseed (canola) oil, and we agree with the sentiment. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. When we let it sit for more than a few minutes, we would need to shake the bottle again to avoid the water and formula separating. One of the parents said their baby developed a bit more constipation than they were used to with the HiPP, but the other one said everything was moving smoothly. If you're intimidated by the fact that the information on the box is not in English, just scroll down on the, Similac makes a wide range of baby formulas, including the popular Pro-Advance, Pro-Total Comfort, Advance, Sensitive, Pro-Sensitive, Spit-Up, and Alimentum options. It’s not available in the U.S., so you’ll have to rely on buying it online every time. Note that while we are fully aware that the label says "Toddler Formula," the manufacturer suggests that this is only because they recommend exclusively breastfeeding babies under 1 year old and therefore this formula has not been FDA approved for infant feeding. What sets apart Baby’s Only Organic Formula is that, oddly enough, it’s marketed as a “toddler” specific formula. Its typical size is a 14-ounce container. Many parents feed infants with Baby's Only formula, but always check with your pediatrician first. Lactose is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk and the #1 ingredient in our Stage 1 and Stage 2 formula. And our baby loves it.” –, “This formula is the most natural that I have been able to find and was delivered even quicker than promised. In our testing, we found that this powder did not mix easily or well in water, with the powder never fully dissolving. It also uses naturally-sourced rather than petroleum-based vitamins, such as vitamin E acetate, DHA sourced from eggs rather than algae, and brown rice syrup instead of corn syrup solids. It is so gentle on the stomach and my daughter found it quite palatable.” –, “I have gone through about seven different formulas with my 3.5-month-old…Before trying another reflux med, I decided to try this formula first in hopes that she really just has a dairy intolerance. The goat version is great for infants with cow milk sensitivity, using organic goat milk and lactose, along with the vegetable oils and vitamins and minerals. Whole milk as the first ingredient, Omega-3 (DHA, ALA), Omega-6 (LA), amino acids, prebiotics (GOS from milk), inositol, and choline. When we let it sit for more than a few minutes, we would need to shake the bottle again to avoid the water and formula separating. Yes, slightly more expensive but the quality ingredients are worth every penny. Fats are a slightly different story, with certain oils being generally accepted as safe: palm oil, soy oil, coconut oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil. Shop now Baby’s Only® Wipes Fragrance-Free. Cons? Rest assured that as doctoral-level scientists, parents, and the owners of this small business, we have over 20 years of combined experience testing and reviewing over 2400 different baby and toddler products. Some research has demonstrated that as much as 80% of baby formulas contain toxins and heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, and acrylamide, giving us some motivation for continuing to pursue organic baby formula options! You can check out the Lebenswert Organics baby formula here. Baby formulas vary widely in which of these ingredients they use, and how much of each they use. We did find it difficult to dissolve in water, taking a lot of shaking and stirring to get it to fully dissolve and not leave any clumps. In our testing with 3 infants (two were 3 months and one 6 months), they not only readily accepted this formula but also showed no signs of discomfort or gas whatsoever; in fact, the mom of one of these babies immediately switched to Baby's Only after the test! It also comes in what the company calls "follow-on milk" (stages 2-4). It is a skim-milk and lactose-based certified organic formula that contains both prebiotics (plant fiber) and probiotics for digestability, Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, and uses whey powder (and whey protein) along with a mix of vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower). Notice that it doesn't use lactose as a carbohydrate, replacing it with corn syrup solids and maltodextrin, both of which are not ideal in a baby formula. In this version, the Whey & Dairy with DHA version, the formulation is much more like breast milk, using lactose as the primary carbohydrate. For minerals and vitamins, formulas tend to contain at least iron, calcium, potassium, zinc, folic acid, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Some infant formulas also add in fatty acids such as DHA and ARA, some also add in bacteria, prebiotics, and/or probiotics to aid digestion. Interested? The Holle Bio line comes in two infant formula stages, Holle Pre and Holle Stage 1, both intended for birth onward. It is one of only two whole milk formulas on our list, and it doesn't contain any of the nasty ingredients we list above - no gluten, soy, palm oil, sucrose, corn syrups, or maltodextrin. Founded in 1962, Kendamil is one of the longest-running baby formula companies in Europe. It couldn’t be any better. Many parents feed infants with Baby's Only formula, but always check with your pediatrician first. Costs about a dollar per ounce if you buy in bulk, which is a very good price for an organic infant formula. About 100 calories, 2 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fat per serving, this formula has a macronutrient profile very similar to breast milk. If we made our own organic baby formula, here is what it would look like: ✔️  Certified organic. How to Find the Best Baby Bassinets – Main Tips and Top Choices! The Lebenswert formula is based on organic skim milk, organic whey, organic vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower), organic lactose, and vitamins and minerals. Also, we love the fact that it contains milk fat globule membranes (MFGM) just like breast milk, which are associated with healthy brain development and cognitive outcomes in children. You can check out the, This Lebenswert formula sets the gold standard for how organic formulas should be sourced and manufactured. As of this writing, you could still find the whole milk version at OrganicStart, but it's getting phased out. In terms of carbohydrates, lactose is generally the preferred source of sugar in formula, though some use maltodextrin or food starch. The Baby Swag Copyright © 2021. Use code THEBABYSWAG to save 5% at MyOrganicCompany.store. A few of the best formulas on this list avoid maltodextrin entirely, such as the Loulouka, Kendamil, Lebenswert, HiPP, Plum Organics, and Happy Baby options, but it is considered a relatively harmless ingredient. In our testing, the Holle Pre was super easy to dispense and mix, and it shows a super high acceptance rate even for primarily breast-fed babies, making it one of the best options for parents who need to switch between breastfeeding and formula, or as a transition formula. There’s nothing wrong with opting for formula instead of breastfeeding exclusively. This made for a somewhat grainy formula that left a residue in the bottle. Our LO had no issues adapting to this. For more specifics about Holle, be sure to read our Holle baby formula review here. Plum Organics infant formula was discontinued as of 2020; if you've been using it successfully, then you might want to get your hands on some supplies before they're gone! For fat sources, try to avoid formulas using palm olein (which is different from palm oil) because it's not absorbed very well, can cause reduced calcium absorption, and can cause constipation and gassiness. Plus some added bonuses like two different prebiotics (FOS and GOS), Omega 3 and Omega 6 (ARA and DHA), and choline. The Worst Baby Formula Ingredients: Most of the really bad stuff is no longer present in baby formulas, especially not the best organic formulas. This unique formula includes alpha-linolenic and linoleic fatty acids that the body converts to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA). Baby loves it! The goal here is to find a formula that’s both nutritious and tasty for your infant as he or she grows. No issues with gas or discomfort were experienced, but the babies we tested on tend to be pretty resilient in this regard to begin with. There are no surprise ingredients in this formula, other than the palm and soy oils, and the dairy cows that supply the milk are only fed the best organic diets. At the same time, Loulouka updated their packaging, introducing large (900g) flip-top tins that make storage and dispensing really convenient. Unlike many other milk-based formulas, the Holle comes from cows raised on biodynamic arms in caring and environments. The best organic formulas should be modeled after breastmilk and allow flexible supplementing of breastfeeding and facilitate transitions. Here are some related comparisons that you my find helpful: At their core, Baby’s Only Formula and Holly Baby are fairly similar. Like most if not all Mama Bear products, Amazon works with a major brand and manufacturer of a product to make a Mama Bear branded version. While Baby’s Own Organic Formula may be meant for toddlers only, it does offer so many nutritional benefits that you really can’t ignore. Loulouka formulas come in three stages: stage 1 for use from birth to 6 months, stage 2 for 6+ months, and stage 3 for 10+ months. We love that goat milk formula, but it's not a fully organic product so it's not eligible for inclusion on this list. All of the moms liked the Dutch formula in particular for its consistency, ease of mixing, and lack of bubbles after mixing. Check out the latest price And don't forget a fair price! But it’s made with cow’s milk from biodynamic farms, which makes for some of the best milk your infant could have in their powdered formula. Fats come from the usual suspects, including soybean oil, coconut oil, and safflower or sunflower oil. Baby’s Only formula is an organic dairy formula for toddlers. Baby’s Only with Whey. In the off chance that your baby doesn’t like the formula, there’s likely nowhere physical to return it to. That might be attributed to the high iron content (1.8mg per serving), though there isn't much scientific evidence that formula iron content is linked to constipation or other stomach distress. Of the different Loulouka varieties, stage 1 is our favorite because it avoids maltodextrin as a carbohydrate, which is added in Stages 2-3. No issues with gas or discomfort were experienced, but the babies we tested on tend to be pretty resilient in this regard to begin with. In addition to those fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, it also contains prebiotics, Omega-3 (DHA and ARA), and Omega-6 (LA). We have no major issues with the sunflower or coconut oils, and think they are a good replacement for palm oil, but we also understand that some parents might be avoiding soy due to potential allergies. This organic formula is suitable for infants 0-12 months and is based on organic nonfat cow's milk, with secondary ingredients including maltodextrin, sugar, and three oils: sunflower, soy, and coconut. There are a few not-so-great things about Baby’s Only Organic Baby Formula: Baby’s Only regular dairy formula contains brown rice syrup. The product is USDA certified organic so it meets industry standards for organic formulas. Even better, because this baby formula is suitable for use from birth onward, it is great for exclusive bottle feeding, which makes it a really unique addition to the organic baby formula market. But at the end of the day, the Holle Baby Formula is likely the best option for your baby. 20 Both of them took to this formula without any issues, and continued feeding with it for several bottles. ❌  No soy lecithin. Even better, because this baby formula is suitable for use from birth onward, it is great for exclusive bottle feeding, which makes it a really unique addition to the organic baby formula market. You can check out the Kendamil Organic Baby Formula here! It’s also made with a protein balance that makes it close to breastmilk. It also offers a lactose free alternative to parents who wish to avoid soy protein. Discontinued: The Honest Company Organic Formula, Discontinued: Plum Organics Organic Infant Formula, Discontinued: Gerber Natura Organic Formula, Discontinued: Happy Tot Grow Shine Organic Toddler Milk, Here's what we learned by putting together this formula guide: there are, Even five years ago, it was difficult to get your hands on European baby formulas and they were very expensive to import to the US. Price: On Amazon, a 12.7-ounce can of Baby’s Only Organic Formula is around $13. They’re both organic milk-based alternatives to breastmilk, and they can both be used with breastmilk too. For carbohydrates, the best baby formulas usually contain lactose (milk sugar), but others also use maltodextrin (plant-based sweetener and thickener), corn syrup solids, glucose syrup solids, brown rice syrup, or just plain sugar. Interested? Cons? sucazaha. Note that while they label it as such, Baby's Only told us that this is only because they encourage breastfeeding for babies under 1 year old. This item will ship to United States, but the seller has not specified shipping options. My son is eight months old and we have supplemented with Holle 1 & 2 since he was two weeks old. Infant formula comes in dozens of brands and varieties, and figuring out what's best for your baby can be a daunting task, especially for discerning parents who want the best for their babies. “I have gone through about seven different formulas with my 3.5-month-old…Before trying another reflux med, I decided to try this formula first in hopes that she really just has a dairy intolerance. We tried it out with two formula-fed babies, 3 and 7 months old, one who typically drinks HiPP Combiotik and the other Earth's Best. Since it’s made with organic starch as a thickening agent, you may need to mix it more than once to allow the powder to dissolve. When we review ingredients lists for infant formulas, we are looking for a few primary things that should be included, and some others that should not be included. We never publish any content related to the health or well-being of your child without first consulting with expert pediatricians, midwives, therapists, OB/GYNs, and other specialists as appropriate. We do have a 10% off Mommyhood101 coupon you can use here to help stomach the price! Whole milk baby formula can be a harder to digest, especially for infants with more sensitive tummies. I wish all babies never have to go through such a thing. The Happy Tot organic baby formula was discontinued as of 2019, which is unfortunate because it was pretty decent! Trying to figure out whether HiPP or Holle is best for your child? We did find it difficult to dissolve in water, taking a lot of shaking and stirring to get it to fully dissolve and not leave any clumps. I am so happy so far…it’s been almost a week. Plus some added bonuses like two different prebiotics (FOS and GOS), Omega 3 and Omega 6 (ARA and DHA), and choline. One of the parents said their baby developed a bit more constipation than they were used to with the HiPP, but the other one said everything was moving smoothly. Bad Baby Formula Ingredients: These ingredients fall somewhere between "OK" and "run away" and unfortunately they are very common in most baby formulas. In our testing, we tried out this formula ourselves and with two babies, one 4 months and the other 8 months. We are also impressed that Baby's Only has managed to make a great sensitive baby formula without including many of the ingredients that we prefer not to find in a formula, such as glucose or corn syrup solids, palm oil, or DHA sourced using hexane. “One of the best thing I have ever found for my daughter! Our LO had no issues adapting to this. Also, like most formulas it contains palm oil, which is a bit controversial for use in baby formula due to its risk of causing mild gassiness. Also, while it doesn't contain lactose, we're not super excited about having syrup and maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate sources. This is an organic baby formula that you can truly feel good about. Their formulas test regularly "best in class" for purity and nutrition. Sound Nutritional Science. In addition to those fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, it also contains prebiotics, Omega-3 (DHA and ARA), and Omega-6 (LA). Other ingredients include a variety of vitamins and minerals (including 1.8mg iron and 1.5IU vitamin E), lutein, DHA, and choline. You can check out the Similac Organic baby formula here. Why? It is important to point out that Loulouka meets both FDA and USDA guidelines for infant feeding, as well as EU infant feeding requirements and their relatively strict organic food requirements. Just as important is what Loulouka stage 1 does not contain: added sugars, palm oil, soy or soy oil, GMO ingredients, synthetic nutrients or preservatives, starch, or maltodextrin. Interested? Well, it is pricey just like the other European formula options, but is comparable to Loulouka coming in at about $1.10/ounce. Available Sizes: It comes in a 12.7 ounce can or a pack of six cans together. I bought from this company in the U.K. and I had it in less than two weeks. This awesome baby formula uses only sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oils as sources of fat. This could be a good option to try before your pediatrician considers antacids. Wow. Many of the American organic formulas still contain harmful ingredients like DHA, corn syrup, and other additives.” – Jackie R. on Amazon. This organic formula is suitable from birth up to 12 months, and is based on organic nonfat cow's milk, with secondary ingredients including maltodextrin, corn syrup solids, and four oils: palm, soy, coconut, and safflower or sunflower. I love that is is organic and from biodynamic farming. Protein is provided with nonfat cow's milk and whey protein concentrate, and fats come from palm, soy, coconut, and safflower and/or sunflower oils. Baby's Only Organic Dairy formula contains naturally occurring lactose from the organic nonfat cow's milk used as the protein source and also includes a complex carbohydrate, organic brown rice syrup, along with all the necessary fat, vitamins and minerals to complete the nutritional requirements of a child. All organic, and biodynamic – milk from alpine cows in southern Germany. Baby's Only stands out as the best organic baby formula made and sold in the USA! Just as an FYI because we know parents worry about these things, the DHA in this formula is from alpina oil and c. cohii oil, which are likely treated with hexane solvent, acid, or bleach as part of their manufacturing. European baby formula companies (like Loulouka, Kendamil, Holle, Lebenswert, and HiPP) have been taking the American market by storm, producing extremely high quality organic baby formulas that are suitable for use as infant baby formulas. There are no surprise ingredients in this formula, other than the palm and soy oils, and the dairy cows that supply the milk are only fed the best organic diets. This formula is fantastic and has helped my daughter so much. Lebenswert formula, Holle formula, and HiPP baby formula contain no preservatives, no added cane sugar, no high fructose corn syrup, no soy, no gluten, no coloring, and no flavorings. Other than the palm oil and soy oil, this is a great overall ingredient profile, very similar to what you find in other front-runners on this list. Note that while they label it as such, Baby's Only told us that this is only because they encourage breastfeeding for babies under 1 year old. Probably the most expensive, but then what price do you put on health? Would definitely order again.” – L. Raymond on Amazon. The formula contains DHA and ARA as well as vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium, among many others. First of all, many parents do not appreciate the use of soy and palm oils in their formulas, and Loulouka listened! It's a very comprehensive infant formula that is widely respected around the world for its macro- and micro-nutrient profile, and widely recommended by pediatricians and infant feeding specialists for sensitive stomachs. Bottom Line Up Front: At their core, Baby’s Only Formula and Holly Baby are fairly similar. Instead, they took the high road and used ingredients they could stand behind. Also, while it doesn't contain lactose, we're not super excited about having syrup and maltodextrin as the primary carbohydrate sources. Coming in at only about $1 per ounce, this is the cheapest organic baby formula on our list. Like Baby's Only, the DHA is extracted without using hexane or other harmful chemicals, in this case using a water-based process. No spit-up or gas in either, but if your baby has a more sensitive tummy we suggest considering the Baby's Only LactoRelief version, or HiPP Combiotic. “This is the only formula my daughter’s sensitive system has been able to handle. Just like breast milk, it has an ideal whey to casein ratio of about 75/25, and contains lactic acid bacteria cultures (B.lactis) that can help reduce colic and irritability (according to published research). Ingredients are sourced from Demeter biodynamic farms, which hold the highest European certification for sustainable farming without chemicals and synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. If the mother has breastfed the baby for one year and now she does not want to continue anymore, then Baby’s only organic formula will provide almost all the nutrition found in the breast milk. After breastfeeding, parents can continue providing organic nutrition using Baby’s Only Organic® dairy formula. Here's what we learned by putting together this formula guide: there are very few organic formulas on the market, especially in the USA. This company was also the first to offer organic formula because they know the importance of limiting our children’s exposure to harmful chemicals. Cons? I wish all babies never have to go through such a thing. Cons? ✔️  Prebiotics. Cons? Kendamil has a long and reliable history of producing very high quality baby formulas, and the launched this organic formula in 2018. In our testing, we tried out this formula ourselves and with two babies, one 4 months and the other 8 months. That means the hardest thing to get used to will probably be making sure you always have enough in your home if you have to rely on ordering it through the mail. Like most of the best infant formulas on this list, the Earth's Best infant version uses lactose as the primary carbohydrate, similar to breast milk. Interested? In our testing, we found it to taste great without being too sweet or oily, mix well with water, and it caused the least gas of most other formulas on this list. We categorize these as the good ingredients, the bad ingredients, and the downright ugly ingredients. “One of the best thing I have ever found for my daughter! My son is eight months old and we have supplemented with Holle 1 & 2 since he was two weeks old. Interested? Baby's Only, for instance, derives DHA from egg phospholipids using water only. You can find it on the following online suppliers (that we have personally vetted): Overall, the formula has a long enough shelf life so you can purchase a bulk supply ahead of time. The HiPP formulas do contain palm oil and Mortierella alpina oil (M. alpina). The Answer is Holle. Baby’s Only. This is a lactose-free organic and kosher baby formula, with high levels of essential fatty acids that the baby's body converts to DHA (an omega-3) and ARA (an omega-6). Interested? We also don't appreciate the inclusion of maltodextrin and food starch in Stages 2-3. And while it does contain iron (1 mg per serving), it doesn't contain as much iron as many other formulas (which are typically around 2mg). While these two ingredients are very common in baby formula, if we had a choice we would prefer different oils (coconut, sunflower). Trying to figure out whether Lebenswert or Holle is best for your childe? 4moms rockaRoo Review: Is This the Best Swing for 2021? It has no added sugars, and is free of synthetic ingredients, but lacks pre and probiotics. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail. I was at my wit’s end when I found this and thought I would try it. Holle Bio Organic Baby Formula, Pre and Stage 1, Holle Bio Pre and Stages 1-4 baby formulas here, 5. The addition of prebiotics and probiotics makes this the best sensitive baby formula option, while also making it relatively complete in terms of nutritional value, especially relative to US formulas and FDA and USDA recommendations. Overall, we love Loulouka formulas and are thrilled to include it on our list! We couldn't find much information about this online, and haven't tested it ourselves. But at the end of the day, the. She hasn’t been constipated or anything, and is still in the 50th percentile for weight for her age, which is great.” –, “This is the only formula my daughter’s sensitive system has been able to handle. No spitting up and no gas or colic. What makes it so great? In addition, Earth's Best adds in some Omega-3 (DHA) and Omega-6 (ARA) via alpina and algal oils, prebiotics, amino acids, and lutein. No palm oil! The farms and ingredients are certified organic, they only use the best high-quality raw ingredients, and the company uses its profits to fund conservation of natural resources. Sometimes, you can have one without the other, and since it’s up to your baby if he or she eats it, you need to have a formula that provides both. The macronutrient profile is very similar to breast milk, just like with the Baby's Only formula. You can check out the Happy Baby Formula at Amazon. The Lebenswert formula is based on organic skim milk, organic whey, organic vegetable oils (palm, rapeseed, sunflower), organic lactose, and vitamins and minerals. A gentle plant-based wipe for baby! Cons? These include sucrose, dioxins, artificial preservatives, artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn maltodextrin, food starch, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup solids, partially hydrogenated oils, and genetically modified soy.